Manning community on alert as mining exploration proposed to test emissions reduction technology

A Newcastle company received tens of millions of dollars to develop a process it says will help industry cut pollution. Why does that have Manning Valley residents - two hours north - concerned about local environmental risks?

Clean technology company MCi Carbon operates a process known as “mineral carbonation”, which involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources and transforming them into materials used in construction and manufacturing. 

• “These include concrete, plasterboard, paint, paper, glass and adhesives – permanently locking carbon into the raw materials the global economy already relies on,” an MCi Carbon spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster. 

The process differs from the more widely known carbon capture and storage (CCS), which involves capturing CO2 emissions and storing them underground to prevent their release into the atmosphere.

Government support: MCi Carbon has raised around $80 million from private investors and government funding.

Earlier this month, at the opening of the company’s “carbon refinery” in Newcastle, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the project is “about cutting emissions, creating new products and building new clean industries, literally brick by brick”.

What is proposed: To test its process, MCi Carbon has proposed extracting “bulk samples” of up to 10,000 tonnes of serpentinite rock (if further approvals are granted) from an area near Mount George, 22km west of Wingham. 

Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock that can contain naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). 
The company currently has two approved licences to explore for serpentinite, covering areas of Mount George, Bobin, Wherrol Flat, Knorrit Flat and Mooral Creek. 

Exploration licences do not allow mining operations, such as open cutting or blasting, but permit holders to undertake “prescribed low-impact exploration activity”.

MCi Carbon says it has received approvals to drill up to 57 holes at a diameter of 43-44 millimetres and a depth of 13 metres to identify a potential pit for future bulk sampling. 

Why the concern: Manning Against Mining Alliance (MAMA) is a group of locals who say there has been inadequate consultation, and are concerned over the project’s proximity to the village of Mount George and the region’s water catchment.

MAMA treasurer Leanne George said technical questions about the risk of asbestos being disturbed during extraction and flood risks had gone unanswered, while planned meetings between the two parties had been cancelled or refused.

MCi Carbon says it letterboxed residents, provided fact sheets, had face-to-face meetings with locals and engaged with MPs and council, and would arrange consultations with concerned residents if they made contact via [email protected]. 

To blast or not to blast: Project documents refer to “potentially blasting ahead of excavation”.

MAMA president Bruce Robertson says the documents show “MCi are proposing to drill, and potentially blasting, rock that has a high potential of containing asbestos just 1.3km from Mount George public school and much closer to surrounding houses”.

MCi Carbon has stated no blasting will occur in the small-scale research activities currently proposed. 

Political opposition: NSW Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann told the Mid North Coaster the proposal poses “unacceptable risks” to the Manning’s drinking water and the health of nearby communities.

• “Serpentinite in this region has a high likelihood of containing asbestos, yet no special conditions were imposed. That’s a staggering oversight. Green technology doesn’t get a free pass to put people at risk.”

Lyne MP Alison Penfold opposed the proposal.

Company’s response: MCi Carbon said its research project had been subject to a “misinformation and disinformation campaign” that had caused “unnecessary angst and concern in the local community”.

• “MCi Carbon has received regulatory approval to conduct small-scale research activities on a privately-owned property in the Mount George area. To suggest MCi Carbon is undertaking or planning anything further is false. No ground disturbing work or drilling has taken place at the site. MCi Carbon does not hold a mining licence and has not submitted a mining application in relation to Mount George.” 

Regulator response: NSW Resources said “licence holders must take all reasonably practicable steps to avoid or minimise any environmental harm from their activities”.